Dementia and the take-up of residential respite care: an analysis using the PIAC cohort

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In the current policy and service environment, respite care is a key service designed to provide support for carers and those they care for. Linked aged care program data for the Pathways in Aged Care (PIAC) cohort study allows analysis of the take-up of residential respite care by looking at 32,000 cohort members who had an approval of such care. This report presents detailed analysis of take-up rates and factors that affect the take-up of residential care. In particular the report investigates whether dementia, carer availability and English speaking background affect the take-up of residential care.

ISSN: 1833-1238

ISBN: 978-1-74249-006-9

Cat. no: CSI 9

Pages: 92

Findings from this report:

Just over half (54%) had been recommended to live in the community, with 42% recommended for residential aged care

Carer status was the most statistically significant predictor of take-up of respite

27% of the 32,000 people approved for respite in 2003–04 had dementia

More than half (54%) of people who used respite had a length of stay of 2 weeks or less